Metal News for August 23, 2014

We post metal news every day, throughout the day, covering thousands of metal bands including underground and unsigned bands. You are currently browsing the news archive, but you can also find news by band.

If interested, submit an email to podcast@metalunderground.com with one (or both) of the headlining bands in the subject heading, and your full name matching your ID in the email body. Listen in with bated breath as co-host Kevin Perez (n0thinghead) fills in the rest of the details.

Next, co-host Mike Smith (OverkillExposure) offers a gushing sneak-peek reaction to one of the year’s most anticipated metal albums: “The Singularity (Phase I - Neohumanity)” by Swedish death-prog powerhouse Scar Symmetry. He’s convinced it will monopolize many a year-end favorites list, and urges fans (Kevin included) who may have lost interest after the loss of former superhuman vocalist Christian Alvestam to reconsider. The latter incarnation of Scar Symmetry has truly come into its own. The first of a planned concept trilogy, “Neohumanity” drops in North America on Tuesday, October 14th.

Finally, in another round of his “Miami Metalhead Problems” saga, Kevin relates an epic personal concert misadventure involving the bands Erra and Reflections. We’ve all had them, we’ve all struggled and bled to make it to see our favorite bands, and every now and then, something unique and memorable occurs along the way that we wouldn’t have traded for all the well-timed, well-organized shows in the world.

Ophicvs has released a video clip for "Whore Of Babylon," taken off the "Azrever Ne Alemamam" album released via GoatCurseDiaboli Productions.

Check it out below now, before YouTube takes it down because someone complains about teh bewbs. Ophicvs also comments: "This production is meant to be raw, dirty, primitive, and unapologetic old school metal!"

The "Metal Down Under" DVD - a documentary chronicling the history of heavy metal in Australia - has now finally been released and can be ordered at this location. A teaser trailer is available below, and the organizers of the movie comment:

"Since the late 1970’s a thriving underground scene of extreme music has continued to evolve in Australia. Metal Down Under takes a look at the bands, people and events that have shaped this unique slice of Australian history.

"More than just the music, we meet the characters that make metal in Australia what it is today. From promoters, radio hosts and magazine editors, to band members and extreme fans, Metal Down Under introduces you to a world you either didn’t want to know existed, or have been a part of all your life.

"Featuring over 40 exclusive interviews as well as rare archive footage and photographs from Metal for the Brain, Metal for Melbourne, The Big Day Out, SBS, music videos, live concerts and much more.

"Here's the facts! Time and time again our beloved scene has been overshadowed, dismissed and disregarded by many mainstream media / culture and plenty of lethargic Australian heavy music fans too, oh not to forget the rest of the world's ignorance or lack of knowledge. Bleak times? Maybe? But, that has all changed! To find out why? WATCH Metal Down Under! This film reveals the history, the unsung heroes of our scene and why it's never been more important to acknowledge & support Australian Heavy Music wholeheartedly!” More...

At a Rockstar Energy Uproar Festival show this week, Pop Evil took the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge during the group’s performance on the Rockstar Energy Drink Main Stage.

Pop Evil’s lead singer Leigh Kakaty took the challenge while the rest of the band followed up backstage as soon as they walked off stage. Check out the video below.

After completing the challenge, Pop Evil nominated the bands Theory of a Deadman, Five Finger Death Punch and D.M.C. (Darryl McDaniels from Run-D.M.C.).

Pop Evil's Leigh Kakaty said, "It feels good to be able to give back in more ways than just music."

Rockstar Energy Uproar Festival producers, crew members, and the bands on the tour pulled together to make personal donations of over $4000 to ALS.

Uprorar Festival producer John Oakes commented, "ALS is a terrible disease. I think the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is an amazing viral marketing effort that has driven a massive amount of awareness and additional fundraising to the ALS Association. I am happy we were able to pull together and make a donation. I encourage others to take the challenge and most importantly, donate."

Carla Harvey, one half of the female-fronted duo that screams for the Butcher Babies, will be releasing her upcoming novel, "Death and Other Dances," on August 25th.

This semi-autobiographical work tells the story of Autumn Franklin - an awkward, biracial Detroit native - that is disconnected from her peers at an early age because of her background. When Autumn's young parents divorce, she becomes even more withdrawn, yet survives the cards that she's been dealt by relocating to the alluring City of Angels, where she has but one goal: to find herself.

Struggling to make solid connections with those around her, Autumn swallows her reservations and pushes limits to the extreme as she transitions between a drastic career change: from the bowels of the adult entertainment industry to her rebirth as a mortician. There amongst the dead, she learns what it is to live, love, and to allow others inside, finally landing in the most comfortable place of all: her own skin.

In anticipation of her novel's release, Carla Harvey will appear at Los Angeles' Book Soup for a signing and reading on August 28th at 7PM. For full event details, visit this location. You can also see Butcher Babies live on these dates: More...

The Mariana Hollow has two new videos out for the track "The Unburned," which can be viewed below, and the band comments:

"Exactly one year on from the launch of our EP, 'Scars, Not Wounds' The Mariana Hollow is very proud to present dual videos for our track 'The Unburned'.

"TMH fans may already know that 'The Unburned' is lyrically inspired by A Game of Thrones - A Song of Ice and Fire by George R R Martin and the journey of Daenerys Targaryen.

"In tribute to George R. R. Martin's epic work we have created two videos - one a live performance from the band, and one a set of animated illustrations drawn by the exceptionally talented Danielle Wills." More...